PLANTAIN, SHRIMP AND AVOCADO BITES

Are you on the hunt for a paleo-friendly appetizer recipe that’s bursting with flavor?

I discovered this dish at International Cuisine, a Peruvian and Ecuadorian restaurant in Minneapolis. The dish is called camaron con patacones (shrimp with plantains).

It’s one of those dishes that is just BURSTING with flavor (lime, pickled red onion, spiced shrimp). And on top of that, this dish is:

Paleo-friendly
Whole30-friendly
Gluten free
Heck yeah!

THE STAR OF THIS DISH: CEBOLLAS ENCURTIDAS

This paleo-friendly appetizer is bursting with flavor. The main contributor to this tangy-sour deliciousness? Cebollas encurtidas (pickled onions).
These pickled red onions are probably different than others you’d tried before, namely in that they’re brined in lime juice instead of vinegar.

To make, you’ll need:
One red onion
Juice from 2 limes
Salt

See below for recipe for cebollas encurtidas.

PLANTAIN OPTIONS

The base of these bites are plantain chips. I took the shortcut route and bought plantain chips at Trader Joe’s. You can also make your own baked plantain chips. Here’s an easy recipe:

Use a mandolin slicer set at the thinnest setting to slice a green plantain into coins
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and mix
Place plantain slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes until crispy

Get the full recipe.

BUYING SHRIMP ON A BUDGET

If you’re looking to buy shrimp on a budget, I recommend purchasing frozen shrimp.
Frozen shrimp are cheaper than fresh, and they’re easy to cook with.
I buy medium-sized frozen shrimp at ALDI for right around $5.00 for 12 ounces.

PALEO APPETIZERS AND SNACKS

Sticking to a paleo diet can be difficult if you don’t have a few good recipes up your sleeve.
Here are some of my favorite snack and appetizer recipes that are paleo and Whole30-friendly:

Almond-crusted turmeric green bean fries
Hawaiian pizza (cauliflower pizza crust)
Zucchini meatballs
Creole sweet potatoes
A new guacamole recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 cup plantain chips
1 avocado
1 tablespoon butter
15 medium to large raw shrimp, thawed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash of salt

FOR PICKLED RED ONION (CEBOLLAS ENCURTIDAS)

1 medium red onion
Juice from 2 limes
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

To make shrimp: Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Toss shrimp with garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Add to hot pan and cook for 1 minute, until shrimp turn pink. Turn over and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
To make pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas): Cut onion in half. Lay cut side down on a cutting board and cut onion into very thin half-moon slices. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and juice from 1/2 lime. Let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse well. Next, place red onions in a bowl. Add juice from remaining 1 1/2 limes, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Assemble: L:ayer plantain chips on plate. Top with shrimp, avocado, and pickled onions.

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